Charles J. Fuschillo Jr.'s Press releases

Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick), Chairman of the Senate’s Transportation Committee, announced today that the New York State Senate has passed legislation to suspend the driver’s licenses of teenage drivers who text or talk on a cell phone while driving. The legislation is sponsored by Senator Fuschillo and Senator Carl Marcellino (R-Syosset).

Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) and Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano will be sponsoring a free KidPix photo ID program in Farmingdale. The program will be held on Thursday, June 13th from 12 pm to 3 pm at the Farmingdale Library (116 Merritts Road, Farmingdale).

Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick), Chairman of the Senate’s Transportation Committee, today announced that the committee approved legislation to suspend the driver’s licenses of teenage drivers who text or talk on a cell phone while driving.

“A driver’s focus should be on the road, not their phone. Teenagers are the least experienced drivers on the road, yet they are also the most likely to engage in distracted driving. Suspending the licenses of teens who commit a distracted driving offense would reinforce how serious and dangerous distracted driving is and give teens another reason to take their eyes and hands off their phone when behind the wheel,” said Senator Fuschillo.

Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) recently joined with officials from the Village of Freeport and the Freeport Chamber of Commerce at the opening of the Nautical Mile Festival.

The festival, an annual Freeport tradition, brought over 100,000 visitors into the community and provides a major economic boost to the Village and the dozens of businesses located on Freeport’s Nautical Mile. The event carried special significance this year, given that many of the businesses on the Nautical Mile had to completely rebuild as a result of the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy.

Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick), Chairman of the Senate’s Transportation Committee, today announced that New York State will make up to $17 million in federal Sandy relief funding available to help retail gas stations improve their back-up power capacity so that they can remain open during a severe storm or other major weather event.

The funding is part of “Fuel NY,” an initiative which was included within the state budget to help improve access to gasoline during a declared emergency. The initiative was developed as a direct response to the gas shortages which occurred during Superstorm Sandy.

Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) today announced that the New York State Senate has passed legislation he sponsored to ensure that individuals who repeatedly drink and drive lose their driver’s licenses for good.

The legislation (S739) would allow DMV to permanently revoke the driver’s license of individuals with any combination of three DWI convictions or chemical test refusals. Individuals with two DWI convictions that resulted in physical injury would also be subject to permanent license revocation. DMV would be prohibited from ever issuing a license again to these offenders.

Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) and Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano will be sponsoring a free KidPix photo ID program in North Merrick. The program will be held on Thursday, June 20th from 3 pm to 6 pm at the North Merrick Library (1691 Meadowbrook Road, North Merrick).

Senator Fuschillo and Assemblyman McDonough went to the Merrick Train Station to speak with the Council members who were traveling into Manhattan to march in the annual Celebrate Israel Parade.

Now in its 49th year, the Celebrate Israel Parade is one of the world’s largest events celebrating Israeli independence. Over 30,000 marchers from numerous organizations participate in the parade, with hundreds of thousands more coming from across the tri-state area to view the parade.

“The stronger distracted driving penalties announced today, along with legislation to toughen license sanctions for young and newly licensed drivers who text and drive, would build upon New York’s efforts to combat a problem which endangers the safety of everyone on the road.

With hurricane season beginning June 1st, Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) is informing residents about steps they can take to ensure that their families and homes are prepared in the event of a disaster.

Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick), Chairman of the Senate’s Transportation Committee, today announced that the Committee has approved legislation to protect students from intoxicated school bus drivers. The legislation would greatly expand random drug and alcohol testing for school bus drivers, as well as impose stronger penalties on intoxicated school bus drivers.

Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) and Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano will be sponsoring a free Senior ID Card Program in Freeport.

The program will be held from 12:00 pm- 3:00 pm on Friday, June 14th at the Freeport Library, located at 144 West Merrick Road in Freeport. All Nassau County residents ages 65 and over are eligible to participate and receive a free senior ID card. No appointments are necessary.

Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) today announced that the New York State Senate passed legislation he sponsored to allow the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to suspend the driver’s licenses of individuals who obtain their driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations free of charge using a “charge back” fraud scheme.

Under the “charge back” fraud scheme, an individual pays for their driver’s license or registration using a credit, then disputes the charge with their credit card company to get a “charge back” on their account. By fraudulently disputing a valid DMV charge, these individuals illegally obtain their driver’s license or registration free of charge.

Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick), announced that the New York State Senate passed legislation he sponsored to ensure that DWI offenders do not have their driver's license reinstated until they have completed all the terms of their sentencing.

“Driving is a privilege, not a right. Convicted DWI offenders should not be able to have that privilege until they have paid their debt to society by completing all the terms and conditions of their sentence. This legislation would create another safeguard by requiring offenders to prove that they have fulfilled their court-ordered obligations,” said Senator Fuschillo.

Legislation Would Require MTA to Hold Public Hearings Regarding Changes in Fares, Tolls, or Services in All Affected Regions

Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) announced today that the New York State Senate passed legislation he sponsored to make it easier and more convenient for residents who would be affected by any proposed Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) fare increase, toll hike and major service change to voice their concerns.

The legislation (S776) would require the MTA to hold hearings in each county in which a fare, toll, and/or major service change is proposed.

Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) recently joined with members of the Merrick and North Merrick community to commemorate Memorial Day at the annual Memorial Day Parade.

The Merrick/North Merrick Memorial Day Parade is an annual community tradition which pays tribute to all of the veterans who served our nation, most especially the ones who made the ultimate sacrifice defending our country. Hundreds of Merokians lined Merrick Avenue between Veterans Plaza and the Veterans Monument at Lee Avenue to view the parade and show their appreciation for our American heroes.

New York State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick), in conjunction with NuHealth/Nassau Health Care Corporation, will be sponsoring a breast cancer screening program on Thursday, June 20th from 8:45 am to 12:00 pm at the Massapequa Library’s Bar Harbour Building. The library is located at 40 Harbor Lane in Massapequa Park.

Appointments are necessary and will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. On site nurses and technicians will provide a mammography, a clinical breast examination and instructions for self examination. Patients and their physicians will be notified of the exam results.

The program will be held from 12:00 pm- 4:00 pm on Wednesday, June 5th at the Farmingdale Library, located at 116 Merritts Road in Farmingdale. Nassau County residents ages 65 and over are eligible to participate and receive a free senior ID card. No appointments are necessary.

New York State Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) announced that the new Jones Beach access path, which will provide a direct link between the Wantagh Parkway Bike-Pedestrian Path and Jones Beach State Park, will be open for Memorial Day Weekend.